"Who what when where why?" (FAS)

My 10 year old DD pointed to her head and asked the subject line last night After a week stewing, she finally got the courage to ask me to explain FAS (she heard it mentioned at the parent teacher conference. i had explained it age appropriately over the years, but it didn't click until now). She wanted to know whats wrong with her brain, why did this happen, and what does it mean for her It totally broke my heart. i mean, I knew this day was coming - both the understanding that she does have some neurological reasons why she struggles with math, and the realization that her BM caused this I explained about synapses, gaps, and why working harder will help fill those gaps. i told her she can learn anything anyone else can, she just has to work twice as hard. She asked if that'll make her smart. i told her she is smart, but this will help her get better She said "not smart like you".. I told her she can definitely be as smart as me - even better. Honestly, that might not be true, but I do know one thing.. her best chance is to continue to work hard and not give up She said she wishes it wasn't math.. Because she hates it and has to do more of it. I explained part of why she hates it IS because its so hard. I explained her brother cant understand written words because of FAS. Reading is her great joy. I told her it would be worse if she wasn't able to understand her books. On a good note, I'm glad she felt she could ask me